Romancing Dr. Bailey

"Do you have everything you need for your flight tomorrow?" Miranda asked as she lay in bed wrapped up in Ben. She held him tight, memorizing her favorite spots on his back. Ben's departure had come so soon, it almost shocked her the way it rolled around. They'd made plans for their first trips back and forth, but it was the in-between that she was really worried about.

"For the fifth time," he laughed, "Yes, I do."

"I just want to make sure."

"And anything I forget, Rosalind can bring when she drives my car up."

"Remind me again why you're not driving."

"I start in two days and it'll take at least twenty hours for me to do it. I'd be too exhausted to even start my first rotation. And I don't want to get off on the wrong foot." They both sighed. "Plus, I wanted to spend as much time as I could with you and Tuck and my family—"

She cut him off. "Okay, okay, calm down," Miranda chuckled. She looked up at his face, staring at his stubble. Reaching up, she brushed his chin, allowing her fingers to be scratched a little.

"I'll shave before I report to the hospital," he promised. "Truth?"

"Please."

"I'm so excited."

She gave him a smile, one that she hoped conveyed how proud she was of him. "And I'm excited for you. I have butterflies in my stomach like I'm the one starting her residency." The two of them laughed together. Their bodies shaking against one another.

"Any tips for me?"

"Yes."

"What?"

Miranda had half a mind to break down her "Five Rules" for him. Rules that when followed, kept a hospital running smoothly. Instead she told him: "Do your best. And don't piss people off." That sent them into another laughing frenzy.

"What shall we do for my last down in town?"

Miranda swallowed. Even now, she still wasn't used to the idea of him leaving. Trying not to cry for the umpteenth time, she said: "We could go to Rogelio's for an early dinner."

"Excellent idea."

Miranda kissed Ben on his chest before getting out of bed and going into the bathroom, turning on the showerhead. As she showered, she released more tears. They just wouldn't stop coming. No matter how many times she tried not to shed tears because of his departure, she couldn't. Ben was the love of her life. She'd just found him, just started to really know him and now... he'd be gone. Once out of the shower, she slipped into a pair of blue jeans and a gold, short-sleeved shirt with a deep V-neck cut. Her leopard print flats complemented her entire look. In the mirror, she accessorized and applied some makeup while watching Ben pull on a grey t-shirt that looked good with his black jeans. "I am almost ready," she said running the tube of lipstick over her lips. Looking over, she saw him staring at her. She whipped around and asked: "And, what is it that you are looking at?"

"Uh, my woman," he responded. Her stomach tossed at the sentiment. Moving behind her, he whispered: "Like I didn't see you staring at me." He swept her hair off of her neck. "You look good."

"Thank you."

"Ready?"

"Yes. Let's go." During dinner, Miranda and Ben talked between forkfuls of delicious food. She strung words together quickly, trying to avoid any silence. There would be plenty of time for that. "You know, you're my best friend," she told him as she sipped her wine.

"What's understood doesn't have to be explained," he said taking her free hand in his. "You're mine, too."

She winked at him. "I won't tell Tucker."